gardening

Plant PalettePlants

Fire retardant Australian plants

By Daniel Fuller

Australians are no strangers to the devastating effects of bushfires. Whether started deliberately by arsonists, through lightning strikes onto dry plant material, or simply through human error, fire comes with serious risk, and it pays to improve fire safety in our public and private landscapes to help manage danger to humans, livestock and property.Continue reading

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Business FileEditorial

Key Performance Indicators and your business

By John Corban

Why are Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) important for your business?

A KPI is known as a key performance indicator. It is a measurement of the way your business is performing. A good KPI tells you whether your business is heading along the right path or not, toward your vision and goals. … Continue reading

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Plant PalettePlants

The old raspberry!

By Clive Larkman

We all love a good berry and some of the favourites are raspberry and blackberry (wild and cultivated American) both of which are in the genus “Rubus”. There is also the fruit known as dewberry along with a selection of hybrids including loganberry, boysenberry, marionberry and tayberry.… Continue reading

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EditorialEditors editorial

Out with 2024 and in with 2025

And just like that, it is December, often referred to as the silly season as so many try to squeeze a myriad of things in before Christmas Day. Landscapers are stressed as every client wants their projects completed for the big day, retail garden centres are run off their feet with last-minute shoppers, and we usually have many events to attend for those end-of-year celebrations.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Australian duckweed launches into space

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, headquartered at the University of Adelaide, has sent its first payload of duckweed into space, jumping aboard a sounding rocket launched by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) as part of its MAPHEUS 15 mission.… Continue reading

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Nursery DesignPropagation

Issues in the design, build and relocation of a native plant nursery

By David Hancock

This article outlines some of the issues associated with managing the forced transition of a unique business from one site to another and the challenges associated with that project.

It is rare for these circumstances to arise, and this case study can rest not only as a guide to others in a similar situation but also when considering a complete site relocation.… Continue reading

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EnvironmentEnvironment & Sustainability

Green Spaces, the key to better mental health in urban living

By Michael Casey

As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past twelve months and the unrelenting pressures of urban life which I’m sure we all have experienced. The toll on mental health is undeniable, yet a simple remedy lies in green spaces.Continue reading

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Business FileEditorial

Develop trust with prospects faster and win more satisfying sales

By John Corban

When you first meet a prospect, they don’t know you and will likely have their guard up while discussing their needs. An indication of this is when you ask them how much they have to spend and all you get is silence or they have no idea.… Continue reading

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Plant PalettePlants

New strappy natives to focus on in 2025

By Daniel Fuller

As we move into a new year, five new strappy plants entering the Australian market are going to shake things up due to their outstanding performance and function. Designers should be aware of their existence for upcoming projects, and growers should be prepared to supply them for the industry.Continue reading

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LandscapeShade & UV radiation

Shade and UV radiation – planting for the future

By Patrick Regnault

Recently, I attended the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) annual conference, where the topic was “Grow Shade Wise. A particular topic that attracted my attention was ‘Harnessing shade for skin cancer prevention’. There were two speakers, Liz King, Manager of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Unit, and Andrew Turnbull, Landscape Architect and Advisor to the Shadesmart working group.… Continue reading

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